Square bullets

Jim McDougall · 13th December 2012, 12:11 AM

Really strange!!!
I once had a guy ask me about a hexagonal bullet he claimed was from the Civil War, and I honestly thought this was some fable concocted by whoever gave him the piece. Turns out this was from the British 'Whitworth' rifle, made in England 1857-1865 and sold to Confederate forces. Apparantly the rifling was more effective.
The well known parable about these sharpshooters often told is about Union General John Sedgewick, who in 1864 was angry at his troops for ducking for cover from the Confederate sharpshooters some 1000 yards away. His words, "...why they couldnt hit an elephant at this dist..........!!! the words cut short when he fell from his saddle, a marksmans bullet hit him just below the eye killing him instantly. Apparantly the rifles being used were the Whitworth's.

I think the German bullet referred to might be a jaeger flintlock item.

13th December 2012, 12:11 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Really strange!!! I once had a guy ask me about a hexagonal bullet he claimed was from the Civil War, and I honestly thought this was some fable concocted by whoever gave him the piece. Turns out this was from the British 'Whitworth' rifle, made in England 1857-1865 and sold to Confederate forces. Apparantly the rifling was more effective. The well known parable about these sharpshooters often told is about Union General John Sedgewick, who in 1864 was angry at his troops for ducking for cover from the Confederate sharpshooters some 1000 yards away. His words, "...why they couldnt hit an elephant at this dist..........!!! the words cut short when he fell from his saddle, a marksmans bullet hit him just below the eye killing him instantly. Apparantly the rifles being used were the Whitworth's. I think the German bullet referred to might be a jaeger flintlock item.